CERT in Action!
New Britain, Conn. CERT Responds to Fire and Storm Incidents
At 1:30 in the morning on June 26, 2009, the New Britain, Conn. Fire Department responded to a fire involving a 24-unit apartment building. The Office of Emergency Management activated the New Britain CERT to assist with the nearly 100 victims of the fire. Eight CERT members responded with a bus to provide emergency transportation and also to provide a place for victims to rest. Other members opened a shelter for the victims at the City of New Britain Senior Center. The American Red Cross (ARC) also responded and together the CERT and ARC operated the shelter until 5 p.m. the next day.
However, the CERT members weren't finished yet. Just as they were closing the shelter, severe weather pummeled the area with high winds, heavy rain, and hail, bringing down many trees and wires. The CERT was activated again to respond to the many damaged locations. Ten CERT members responded, assessing damage across the town and reporting back to their command post. They used their CERT vehicles to provide traffic control, tape off hazardous areas with warning tape, and provide emergency lighting to city workers removing trees from roadways and homes. The CERT members worked until almost midnight before being released.
The New Britain CERT is one of the most active programs in the State. The CERT is activated about twice a month for local emergencies. CERT members are called out anytime sheltering is needed for victims, such as the apartment fire. It was highly unusual for the CERT to be activated for two incidents back-to-back, but members proved they were more than up to the task.
For more information, please contact Lieutenant Michael Berry at MBB1324@NewBritainCT.gov.